Arab Radio Reports Egyptian Purchases of Arms from United States

May 24, 1950

TEL AVIV (May. 23)

The Beirut radio today reported that Egypt has purchased $2,000,000 worth of arms from the United States. It quoted the commander of the Egyptian forces, Mohammed Haidar Fasha, as saying that the Egyptian Army has doubled its strength.

The United States Embassy in Egypt declined to comment on reports of an American-Egyptian arms agreement, Reuters reported from Cairo. An embassy spokesman said that all the Arab states had sought American arms at one time or another. He added: “But they will have to pay for them.” American official circles in Egypt were reported by Reuters to believe that small arms would be made available.